Human Identity and Bioethics

David DeGrazia author

Format:Hardback

Publisher:Cambridge University Press

Published:13th Jun '05

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Human Identity and Bioethics cover

This book explores numerical and narrative accounts of identity, through philosophical and non-philosophical perspectives.

When philosophers address personal identity, they usually explore numerical identity: what are the criteria for a person's continuing existence? When non-philosophers address it, they often have in mind narrative identity: which characteristics of a particular person are salient to her self-conception? This book develops accounts of both senses of identity.When philosophers address personal identity, they usually explore numerical identity: what are the criteria for a person's continuing existence? When non-philosophers address personal identity, they often have in mind narrative identity: Which characteristics of a particular person are salient to her self-conception? This book develops accounts of both senses of identity, arguing that both are normatively important, and is unique in its exploration of a range of issues in bioethics through the lens of identity. Defending a biological view of our numerical identity and a framework for understanding narrative identity, DeGrazia investigates various issues for which considerations of identity prove critical: the definition of death; the authority of advance directives in cases of severe dementia; the use of enhancement technologies; prenatal genetic interventions; and certain types of reproductive choices. He demonstrates the power of personal identity theory to illuminate issues in bioethics as they bring philosophical theory to life.

ISBN: 9780521825610

Dimensions: 237mm x 158mm x 26mm

Weight: 535g

316 pages